The work by Ephrem titled, Armenian Hymn No. 1, offers prayer to God, in doing so, “opening the treasury door” to heaven allowing direct communication to God himself. It heavily promotes constant prayer as if it were as essential as breathing. Ephrem uses many examples of positive outcomes from prayer such as the miracles performed through Moses in Exodus and various other miracles that occur in the Old Testament exclusively. Why not include prayers of Jesus, and his miracles?
It is important to note that the hymn was not written in response to the Islamic attacks on the Roman Empire, but rather to convince converts and remind Christians of God’s power and boost the morale of the Christian people. Christianity was adopted as the official religion in 314 C.E., so it is appropriate to say that this hymn is evidence of the slow Christianization of the eastern empire during a time of prosperity and growth in Christianity.
Homily 10, ascribed to Macarius, explains what happens when one is faithful and incessantly seeks knowledge and truth; that when he has an “insatiable desire” for truth, the truth will be given to him, and he will continue learning and loving God. The author explains that these souls “are ready for eternal life”. The author also explains the consequence of being stripped of all grace to one who does not seek the truth. One who is lazy in their faith who is not humble, but prideful will fall.
The homily is an excellent example of a mystic text as it contemplates the connection between the human soul and God and explores how to unlock the door that separates them on Earth. The argument that those who do not pursue the knowledge of the connection and strive for perfection will suffer, is the sort of extremist view held by many mystics during the fourth century.
It is important to note that the hymn was not written in response to the Islamic attacks on the Roman Empire, but rather to convince converts and remind Christians of God’s power and boost the morale of the Christian people. Christianity was adopted as the official religion in 314 C.E., so it is appropriate to say that this hymn is evidence of the slow Christianization of the eastern empire during a time of prosperity and growth in Christianity.
Homily 10, ascribed to Macarius, explains what happens when one is faithful and incessantly seeks knowledge and truth; that when he has an “insatiable desire” for truth, the truth will be given to him, and he will continue learning and loving God. The author explains that these souls “are ready for eternal life”. The author also explains the consequence of being stripped of all grace to one who does not seek the truth. One who is lazy in their faith who is not humble, but prideful will fall.
The homily is an excellent example of a mystic text as it contemplates the connection between the human soul and God and explores how to unlock the door that separates them on Earth. The argument that those who do not pursue the knowledge of the connection and strive for perfection will suffer, is the sort of extremist view held by many mystics during the fourth century.